Court lifts restrictions on immigration officers’ tactics in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An appeals court on Wednesday put on hold a decision restricting the aggressive tactics of immigration officers in Minnesota, while Maine rejected a request for more secret license plates for U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicles, citing an “abuse of power” during the Trump administration’s crackdown.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was persuaded to put on hold a judge’s ruling barring officers from using tear gas and other steps against peaceful protesters while the department continues its appeal. Operation Metro Surge, an immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, began in early December.

Government lawyers said the injunction issued last week by US District Judge Kate Menendez harms officers’ “ability to protect themselves and the public in extremely dangerous circumstances.”

Minnesota remains a major hub for immigration campaigns by agencies affiliated with the Department of Homeland Security. Federal grand jury subpoenas for state and local officials who oppose the effort were served Tuesday to obtain records that might indicate they were trying to stifle enforcement.

A political action committee founded by former Vice President Kamala Harris is urging donors to help Gov. Tim Walz, her running mate in 2024, and contribute to the defense fund.

“The Department of Justice is pursuing Trump’s enemies list,” Harris’ email said, referring to President Donald Trump.

Who says no to ordering a special plate?

In Maine, Secretary of State Sheena Bellows, a Democrat, said she would not approve a request for secret license plates requested by Customs and Border Protection, a decision that reflects her disgust with the tactics of immigration officers elsewhere. Rene Goode was shot and killed by an immigration officer in Minneapolis on January 7. A message seeking comment from CBP was not immediately returned.

“We have not canceled existing plates but have paused the issuance of new plates. We want to make sure Maine’s plates will not be used for illegal purposes,” Bellows said.

Portland Public Schools, the largest and most diverse district in Maine, said it kept the doors of two schools locked for a few minutes Tuesday due to concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

“This is an understandably tense time in our community, with increasing reports and rumors of immigration enforcement actions,” the district said.

Disagreements emerged in the shooting incident

More than 10,000 people in the United States were arrested illegally in Minnesota last year, including 3,000 “of some of the most dangerous criminals” in the past six weeks during Operation Metro Surge, said Greg Bovino of the US Border Patrol, who has led the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration in major cities.

Bovino defended his “troops” and said their actions were “legal, moral and ethical.”

Advocates have no way of knowing whether the arrest numbers released by the government and descriptions of people in detention are accurate, said Julia Decker, policy director at the Minnesota Immigrant Law Center.

Separately, a federal judge said he was willing to grant bail and release two men after hearing conflicting testimony about an alleged assault on an immigration officer. The Public Prosecution appeals. One of the men was shot in the thigh by the officer during the confrontation last week.

The officer said he was repeatedly struck with brooms and snow shovels while trying to subdue and arrest Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna after a car crash and foot chase.

Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa Celis denied assaulting the officer. Neither video evidence nor three eyewitnesses supported the officer’s account of the broom and dustpan or that a third person was involved.

Aljorna and Sosa-Selis had no violent criminal records and were working as drivers for DoorDash at night to avoid confrontations with federal agents, their lawyers said.

U.S. Magistrate Douglas Miko said they could still be detained by ICE even if they are released from custody in the assault case.

Whittle reported from Portland, Maine. Associated Press reporter Ed White in Detroit contributed.